Shnos Dor Vador - 300 years of history -- through letters - שנות דור ודור
This is a truly fascinating collection, very likely the only one of its kind: 300 years of history, through the handwritten letters and pronouncements of the great Torah leaders of 12 generations.
For many years, R' Reuven Dessler has been collecting original handwritten letters from the quills of people whose very names evoke reverent gasps:
the Chasam Sofer, the Aruch Leneir, R' Yisrael Salanter, R' Yitzchok Elchonon, R' Chaim Soloveitchik, the Chofetz Chaim, R' Chaim Ozer Grodzenski, and scores more.
Now, all those collectors items are presented to the public. Every letter appears in both the original handscript and with the text newly typeset. Each selection has a historical introduction and a brief biographical sketch of the writer.
These letters and communal pronouncements give us a glimpse into the life and times ù and the personalities ù of these legendary leaders.
- RÆ Akiva Eiger is offered the rabbinate of Vilnaá
- Frankfort am Oder adopts by-laws limiting the number of guests and gifts at family celebrations
- The Netziv complains that he and his yeshivah have been slanderedá
- RÆ Boruch Ber Leibovitz appeals for the gigantic sum of $600 (!) needed to publish the writings of RÆ Chaim Brisker.
This is just a small glimpse of a collection that does not cease to amaze and inform. By making it available in a beautifully crafted coffee table format, Mr. Dessler shares with us an invaluable treasure ù collected lovingly and laboriously over more than thirty years.
It is ArtScroll/MesorahÆs high honor to publish it for those who can appreciate so rare and precious a collection.
500 pages; over 130 selections; extensively indexed; all Hebrew. Large 8-+¦¦ x 11¦¦ coffee-table collectorÆs edition.
You must see it to appreciate it, and when you do ù youÆll want it in your home for yourself and your children.
Dimensions: 8.5 x 12 inches